Nako's tail hung low as he crested the ridge leading down into the gully. The trip from the south had been taxing at the pace he had pushed himself, wanting to just curl up in his den and sleep away the aching his limbs. But it wouldn't dull the other need that he found himself craving after politely denying Renhetts advances. He sought Marina's scent as he went farther down the Gulley's creek, all the while hoping that their children would be away long enough should she entertain his request. How desperate Nako was to have this itch scratched he was almost quaking in anticipation as he got closer. Anxious paws stepped up to the entrance of Marina's den, relieved to find that pups were away with a few sniffs. Strangely calmer than a moment ago Nako called down to his once mate. "You there Marina?" Physically the male was fine, but inside his mind he was writhing with apprehension as the demons of his addiction clawed their way to the center of his thoughts.

The children were out at play, though Marina secretly wished that they were curled up in the den with her. She would lay there in a content manner all the same, thinking about how lucky she was. She had four beautiful children whom she adored. Three girls and a little boy. She had her brother. Yes... she was truly blessed. What more could she ask for? Marina didn't think she had any right to do so.

It was Nako's call that brought Marina out of her thoughts. She would lift her head, tilting it to the side. "Aye love, Imma here." The femme would rise, exiting the den with a concerned look on her face. "What's on your mind dear?" Her brow was furrowed. What had happened? The female didn't like the strange sense she got.

Nako eyed Marina as she responded to him. Where to even begin telling her what was on his mind? The thoughts and feelings that clawed at his heart like a panther taking down prey. Already Nako was being choked in a sense. This addiction he had found was no way to find sustainable happiness if not controlled. But he knew of no cure save for the consent of another to perform. Nobody to talk to, father and adoptive mother dead for almost two years. Now here was a once mate, mother of his children, and so a chance to dance out the addiction and sate it's cravings for a time was presented before him with a rainbow pelt.

"Marina, I..." Nako stopped as she came out of the den. Could he really do this to her? Their children where off tumbling about the brush, his brothers doing who knew whatever. "Mari, I just... I need you right now." He managed to speak in a hushed tone. If she said yes somewhere in the brush would do if the den wasn't sizable. This would be the last time until someone took his heart, someone to cherish life with. Nako was still searching. Though only if Marina said yes.

The rainbow marked female would raise a brow as Nako began to speak. She would feel for him, hear that need in his voice, and the female would come to his side, curling around him. “Shh...” The female would coo into his ear. “It’s alright. You helped me in my time of need, Nako, now let me help you in yours.” Her words were gentle, caring as she gently nipped his cheek. “You are in good paws.” The first time they met it was she whom was filled with need, with desire. Marina could sympathize with him. She could scent another female upon his coat, but she didn’t question. Marina... Trusted him. Perhaps more than she should have. The female would move before Nako, lifting her tail to the side as she looked back at him. “At your will, Nako.” "Talk" "You" Think

Table by:: Fox

As Nako finished speaking he noticed Marina seemed to not care for the pathetic way he expressed his need to lose himself with her. The larger she wolf approached his side and instead wordlessly hushed his worries away. And so she would indirectly bring up the time when he had helped provide daughters for the female. A nip chased her muzzle, feeling one placed on a cheek before withdrawing. For a moment Nako wondered if he should've tried a less direct approach, engage in some time just basking and exploring one anothers bodies. But no. He eyed the female before him and felt his heart rate increase. Taking advantage of her presented form Nako would brig his chest across her back and eagerly hook his paws around hips.

-Fade-

With a heavy breath Nako slid off to the side of Marina and gave his oncemate a nuzzle to the side of her cheek. He was grateful, exhausted both physically and emotionally, and the feeling of regret and and anxiousness no longer on his mind. His shoulders rose as he gave a sigh and licked Marina's jaw. "I thank you Mari. I know I haven't been... there, for our daughters as a true mate." Nako leaned his shoulder against the larger she wolf and glanced around. Their offspring were surely tumbling about somewhere and exploring their home still, the Fern Gulley offering many treasures for those willing to dig or poke their noses around the vegetation. He hoped they were doing alright, slowly learning to love the little wiggling babes as he spotted them from afar from his den way up in the crest of the ravine closest to Donostrea. He was slow in his effort to steer himself back into their lives after originally leaving their rearing to Marina. For now he had a bit more of a lonely path to walk as he sorted out his demons.

With the deed done both were spent physically, though in a way that was refreshing to their cores. Marina would accept the lick to her jaw, letting a smile play on her features as she gazed into Nako's eyes. She would give a soft smile, shaking her head as she addressed his words. "Perhaps not... but I don't think you need to worry. All of our children are growing stronger. If you want to be more involved in their lives all you need to do is let them in. I'm sure that the girls and Ren won't complain about it." Marina would close her eyes, letting her body relax towards the earth. "Nako..." The femme would glance at him through half lidded eyes. "If you need some time to sort things out I understand. But know that I am here for you, as you were there for me. As strangers once, and now I'd like to consider us at the very least as close friends." Marina would move her paw over Nako's own. "I don't want you to feel like you have to be there... but know that you are welcome to be if you want." "Talk" "You" Think

Table by:: Fox

Nako stood and simply listened as Marina told him that he didn't have to worry about their growing children as they went about the Gulley. Needless to say the obvious solution to his problem of being a somewhat absent father was to simply be there more with them. "It is as if I've been given four gifts. All unique and nice to have but I don't know what to do with them. I just don't touch and only look. You know what I mean?" The grey wolf followed his once mate to the ground, tucking his right foreleg against his chest and leaving his left towards Marina.

She brought up how he had been here for her the male couldn't help but let out a spent laugh. "And I am glad because of it. Made someone happy for once." It took him a moment to see that Marina had placed a paw over his own extended one. Nako looked down, on good ear pointed forward as he listened to his once mates comforting words. He did have things to sort out, needed to sort things out, and he let out a sigh. Things just…. weren’t just the same anymore. Everything had gotten complicated. He saw his brothers almost every day but his sisters… Lior and Anais, were in Donostrea and therefore unreachable unless he asked to meet them. Maybe that was it. The familiarity of not seeing known faces had driven him to be this way.

Nako looked up with some comfort restored in his gaze. “Thanks Marina, and you and the kids can visit me at any time too. You all know where to find me.” He had needed this moment with her. She helped him understand and deal with this… identity crisis of sorts. Nako didn’t know, only thinking that his time just talking to another had helped. “You, will you want to nap in the den?”

Marina would give a small nod as Nako spoke. “I know exactly what you mean. I feel like I’m having a hard time trying to keep up with them all myself. They’re so precious, so fragile... And yet so beautifully strong.” Marina would let her eyes close partially, a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Though I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually. That balance that you need to work with the little ones.” Marina would gently reach over to Nako, gently touching his cheek. “You’ve made me endlessly happy. You’ve brought back a sense of myself... When I thought I was on the verge of cracking. These children have helped give me my sanity back.” She would chuckle. “Why not nap out here? It’s warm enough... Just the two of us for a while.” Marina would set her head on her paws. “Sleep could help you after all.” ""

Table by:: Tea